Episode 41: Face to Face
In Honoka’s arms, I couldn’t move.
Shiori’s voice, ringing out behind the school building, carried no surprise and no anger.
Just something flat, quiet, and cold.
“…Shiraishi-san, could we talk for a bit?”
Her gaze wasn’t on me. It was fixed on Honoka.
Honoka pulled my arm in tight and glared at Shiori.
“There’s nothing to talk about.”
“Is that so? Because I have plenty.”
Shiori didn’t so much as flinch at Honoka’s reaction.
“What exactly did you think you were doing, just now?”
“…What are you talking about?”
“I was in the middle of talking with Yuna-chan, and you suddenly cut in and dragged her off by force. Don’t you think that’s a problem?”
Shiori’s tone was mild, but there was clear intent behind her gaze.
Honoka held her tongue for a moment, then shot back, hard.
“Because Yuna is mine.”
“…I think that way of thinking is a little dangerous.”
Shiori let out a quiet sigh.
“Shiraishi-san. Do you actually treasure Yuna-chan?”
“…Of course I do.”
“I see. Then I have a suggestion.”
Shiori smiled, just faintly.
“Shiraishi-san — break up with Yuna-chan.”
The moment the words left her, the air froze solid.
“…What?”
Honoka’s arm tightened around me as if to shield me.
“What kind of nonsense is that? I don’t even understand what you’re saying.”
“Exactly what it sounds like.”
Shiori didn’t waver, meeting Honoka’s eyes head-on.
“You call Yuna-chan ‘yours,’ Shiraishi-san, but that isn’t love — it’s just obsession. If Yuna-chan simply talking to someone else sets you off like this, staying together isn’t good for either of you, is it?”
Honoka’s grip on me tightened further.
“That has nothing to do with it.”
Her voice was low, and shaking.
“Yuna is mine, and I’m Yuna’s. That’s all there is. There’s no other option.”
Shiori gave a small, quiet laugh.
“Hmm… that’s quite the forceful stance. But is that really something you arrived at by considering Yuna-chan’s feelings?”
“…”
“Do you honestly think Yuna-chan, as she is right now, is happy?”
In Honoka’s arms, I held my breath, just slightly.
“…Obviously she is.”
Honoka answered instantly, as if bracing herself.
“There’s no way Yuna isn’t happy. I show her how much I love her, properly, and Yuna herself—”
“Isn’t that just what you’ve convinced yourself of?”
Shiori’s voice rang out cold and sharp.
“Do you really understand everything Yuna-chan is feeling?”
“…”
“Isn’t there a chance Yuna-chan is enduring things, telling herself it’s ‘for Shiraishi-san’s sake’?”
Something in my chest stirred faintly.
“Isn’t there a chance Yuna-chan is pushing herself, telling herself it’s ‘because that’s what Shiraishi-san wants’?”
My heart felt like it was being squeezed tight.
“That’s not… Yuna wouldn’t… do something like that…”
Honoka’s voice wavered, anxious.
“Shiraishi-san — every time you get anxious, what does Yuna-chan do?”
“…!”
“Doesn’t she suppress herself, and move to accommodate you?”
My breath caught in my throat.
That’s not true. That’s not it. Being with Honoka, I really am happy—
But.
“…Is it really all right to go on like this?”
Shiori’s words stabbed into my chest.
“Yuna-chan — doesn’t it actually feel suffocating?”
I—
“That has nothing to do with any of this!!”
Honoka suddenly shouted.
“Yuna can’t function without me!!”
“Is that really Yuna-chan’s own will speaking?”
Shiori asked it quietly.
“…”
I found myself biting my lip, without meaning to.
— What do I actually think?